THATS ENOUGH, THATS ENOUGH! I get it! End of topic. Jeez, people cant take a little harmless intrusion into their lives. I was just bustin on you. Pass me another piece of pizza, will ya?

Bette and Tina exchanged smiles. Tina leaned over and whispered in Bettes ear. It really is very easy to shut Alice up, you know.

So, Alice, Dana, whats up with you two? Bette asked, remembering that look between them the other day at The Planet.

What? Whats up with what? Im fine. Alice is fine. Yep, were fine. Dana answered at the speed limit of speech.

Carmen and Shane just looked at Alice waiting for her response. Shane had her suspicions for a while now and just recently mentioned something to Carmen.

And Al, everything fine with you? Bette asked again.

Yeah, sure, sure, everything is honky dory. Whats with all the questions already? Alice nervously glanced at Dana and then quickly at her friends. Alice knew she and Dana were going to have to spill the beans about what was happening between them. She just didnt want to do it now.

As luck would have it, something caught Alices attention so the subject could be quickly changed.

HEY, HEY, whats that on your hands? Everyone turned their eyes to Bette and Tinas hands.

Bette and Tina just smiled. Im disappointed in you, Alice, Tina said. Why, youve been here forty-five minutes and you just noticed.

You know how the interest in someones ***** life causes her to miss the little things, Shane said. Shane was smiling at Bette and Tina. She was just so happy for them. Everything was coming back around to its proper place. Bette and Tinas relationship had always been a beacon of light and hope for Shane. When that light went out, Shane was devastated. Now, it appears light and hope had returned.

Yeah, well, I noticed them now. SO SPEAK! Alice leaned a little into Dana. An unspoken sigh of relief passed between the two of them that the attention was no longer on them.

Bette and Tina told them about the rings and that Tina was moving back in.

~ ~ ~

They never did get to watch movies this night. They just talked and laughed for hours. Just like all families do…

TBC